Kingston Council speaks out for a fairer go for renters

24 April 2018

Kingston Council has joined the ‘Make Renting Fair’ campaign, which calls on the Victorian Government to give renters greater stability and protection.

Kingston Mayor Steve Staikos said that many renters currently face unfair treatment from landlords and insecure or short-term leases.

“More than 12,600 households in Kingston are rental households with 800 of them experiencing extreme rental stress with more than 50% of their income spent on rent,” Cr Staikos said.  “Housing affordability in Kingston is set to worsen and there is a real shortage of affordable homes in the area.”

Kingston Council this week resolved to add their support to the Tenants Victoria’s Make Renting Fair Campaign, which has been supported by more than 60 community groups and local councils.

“The Victorian Government is currently reviewing the Residential Tenancies Act, which controls safety, security and privacy for 1.2 million people across the state. We will be writing to the Minister for Consumer Affairs, the Hon. Marlene Kairouz, urging her to make rental laws fairer by scrapping ‘no reason’ eviction notices, introducing minimum property standards, and a number of other measures,” Cr Staikos said.

“Unfortunately, those who are hit hardest by unfair rental laws are often those who are already facing disadvantage, including those who have experienced homelessness, people living with mental illness or a disability, older people and low income households.”